Study on CuO/Al2O3 catalytic ozone treatment of acid red B solution

A CuO/Al₂O₃ catalyst was prepared using the impregnation method. The catalytic activity of CuO/Al₂O₃ for the ozonation of acid red B (ARB) in aqueous solution was studied, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate was an indicator for catalytic activity evaluation. The effects of initial ARB concentration, solution pH, and different oxidative degradation systems on oxidative degradation of ARB solution were studied. The CuO/Al₂O₃ catalyst was characterized using X‐ray diffractometry (XRD), N₂ adsorption desorption test, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and zero‐point charge (pH_zpc). The results show that copper species on the carrier were in the form of CuO and highly dispersed on the carrier. CuO can increase the alkalinity of the Al₂O₃ surface, and the CuO/Al₂O₃ catalyst facilitates the decomposition of O₃ into ·OH, which was beneficial for the catalytic O₃ oxidation degradation reaction. With the increase of the initial concentration of simulated wastewater, the CuO/Al₂O₃ catalytic reaction still has a high COD removal rate. Alkaline solution was of benefit to catalyze the degradation of ARB solution. When the ARB solution pH = 8.93, the degradation reaction was carried out for 40 min, the COD removal rate reached 83.2%. The degradation reaction was dominated by the hydroxyl radical (·OH) reaction.     

Fe3O4@NCs/BF0.2: A magnetic bio‐based nanocatalyst for the synthesis of 2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐perimidines

Nanocellulose (NC) materials have some unique properties, which make them attractive as organic or inorganic supports for catalytic applications. Nanocatalysts with diameters of less than 100 nm are difficult to separate from the reaction mixture, therefore, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were used as catalysts to overcome this problem. Fe₃O₄@NCs/BF_0.2 as a green, bio‐based, eco‐friendly, and recyclable catalyst was synthesized and characterized using fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray fluorescence (XRF), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. Fe₃O₄@NCs/BF_0.2 was employed for the synthesis of 2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐perimidine derivatives via a reaction of 1,8‐diaminonaphthalene with various aldehydes at room temperature under solvent‐free conditions. The present procedure offers several advantages including a short reaction time, excellent yields, easy separation of catalyst, and environmental friendliness.     

Solvent‐free synthesis of propargylamines catalyzed by an efficient recyclable ZnO‐supported CuO/Al2O3 nanocatalyst

An efficient nanocatalyst of ZnO‐supported CuO/Al₂O₃ (CuO/ZnO/Al₂O₃ nanocatalyst) was prepared by the co‐precipitation method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis. CuO/ZnO/Al₂O₃ nanocatalyst proved to be a very efficient catalyst on the synthesis of propargylamines under solvent‐free conditions in high yields. Moreover, the catalyst can be recyclable without reducing catalytic activity up to five times.     

Ag3[PMo12O40]: An efficient and green catalyst for the synthesis of highly functionalized pyran‐annulated heterocycles via multicomponent reaction

A facile, efficient and eco‐friendly catalytic protocol was developed for the synthesis of medicinally important pyran‐annulated heterocycles via multicomponent reaction (MCR). Cyclocondensation of differently substituted aromatic aldehydes, malononitrile/ethyl cyanoacetate and various β‐dicarbonyl compounds in the presence of Ag₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀]?nH₂O as heterogeneous catalyst, in EtOH–H₂O, afforded diverse pyran‐fused chromene analogues. The merits observed for this approach were it being conducted via MCR, using commercially available or easily accessible starting materials in the presence of a green and easily separable heterogeneous and reusable catalyst, and affording high yields of desired products in very short reaction times with high purity in one‐pot fashion, thus providing a superior alternative approach for the synthesis of pyran‐annulated heterocycles.     

Role of PVA in synthesis of nano Co3O4‐decorated graphene oxide

Polymeric materials have been found to be ideal candidates for the synthesis of organic–inorganic nanomaterials. We have obtained Co₃O₄‐decorated graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites by a simple polymer combustion method. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) of two different molecular weights, 14,000 and 125,000, was used for the synthesis. The pristine sample was annealed at 300, 500, and 800°C. PVA has played an important role in the formation of GO and Co₃O₄ nanoparticles. Synthesized Co₃O₄–GO nanocomposites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, Raman, electron paramagnetic resonance, transmission electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. Reflection peaks at 12° and 37° in an X‐ray study confirm the formation of Co₃O₄–GO. Raman study validates the presence of GO in nanocomposites of Co₃O₄–GO. Room temperature ferromagnetism was observed in all annealed samples. The highest coercivity of 462 G was observed for 300°C annealed samples as compared with bulk Co₃O₄. On the basis of the results obtained, a mechanism of formation is proposed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Boehmite nano‐particles functionalized with silylpropylamine‐supported Keggin‐type heteropolyacids: Catalysts for epoxidation of alkenes

Boehmite nano‐particles with a high degree of surface hydroxyl groups were covalently functionalized by 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)‐propylamine to support H₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀], H₃[PW₁₂O₄₀], H₄[SiMo₁₂O₄₀] and H₄[SiW₁₂O₄₀] Keggin‐type heteropolyacids. After characterization of these catalysts by FT‐IR, powder X‐ray diffraction, TG/differential thermal analysis, CHN, inductively coupled plasma and transmission electron microscopy techniques, they were applied to the epoxidation of cis‐cycloocten. The progress of the reactions was investigated by gas–liquid chromatography, and the catalytic procedures were optimized for the parameters involved, such as the solvent and oxidant. The results showed that 25 mg of supported H₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀] catalyst in 1 ml C₂H₄Cl₂ with 0.5 mmol cyclooctene and 1 mmol tert‐butylhydroperoxide at reflux temperature gave 98% yield over 15 min. Recycling experiments revealed that these nanocatalysts could be repeatedly applied up to five times for a nearly complete epoxidation of cis‐cycloocten. The optimized experimental conditions were also used successfully for the epoxidation of some other alkenes, such as cyclohexene, styrene and α‐methyl styrene.     

H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PMo<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript> immobilized chitosan/Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> as a novel efficient,green and recyclable nanocatalyst in the synthesis of pyrano-pyrazole derivatives

A novel nanomagnetic composite heteropolyacid immobilized chitosan/Fe₃O₄ was prepared via a facile one-pot synthetic approach. This magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst, H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀/chitosan/Fe₃O₄ (PMo/chit/Fe₃O₄), was fully characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM and EDX analysis methods. A rapid, efficient and the chemoselective synthesis of different pyrano-pyrazole derivatives was achieved in excellent yields via a one-pot four-component reaction in the presence of catalytic amount of PMo/Chit/Fe₃O₄.     

Preparation and characterization of new inorganic–organic hybrid catalyst H3PMo12O40/Hyd‐SBA‐15 and its application in the domino multi‐component reaction

We present novel inorganic–organic hybrid catalyst to accomplish domino multi‐component reaction (MCR) for synthesis of 3‐amino‐2′‐oxospiro[benzo[c]pyrano[3,2‐a]phenazine‐1,3′‐indoline]‐2‐carbonitrile/carboxylate derivatives. This methodology offers remarkable development by easy production of H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀/Hyd‐SBA‐15 in regard to solving the problem of using harsh catalysts, also it demonstrates to be impressive and environmentally friendly in term of low reaction times and high yields.     

Highly dispersed Mn2O3−Co3O4 nanostructures on carbon matrix as heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst

This work reports the synthesis of various carbon (Vulcan XC-72 R) supported metal oxide nanostructures, such as Mn₂O₃, Co₃O₄ and Mn₂O₃−Co₃O₄ as heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts for the degradation of organic dye pollutants, namely Rhodamine B (RB) and Congo Red (CR) in wastewater. The activity results showed that the bimetallic Mn₂O₃−Co₃O₄/C catalyst exhibits much higher activity than the monometallic Mn₂O₃/C and Co₃O₄/C catalysts for the degradation of both RB and CR pollutants, due to the synergistic properties induced by the Mn−Co and/or Mn (Co)−support interactions. The degradation efficiency of RB and CR was considerably increased with an increase of reaction temperature from 25 to 45°C. Importantly, the bimetallic Mn₂O₃−Co₃O₄/C catalyst could maintain its catalytic activity up to five successive cycles, revealing its catalytic durability for wastewater purification. The structure–activity correlations demonstrated a probable mechanism for the degradation of organic dye pollutants in wastewater, involving •OH radical as well as Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺ or Co²⁺/Co³⁺ redox couple of the Mn₂O₃−Co₃O₄/C catalyst.     

Synthesis and characterization of bromine source supported on magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles: A new,versatile and efficient magnetically separable catalyst for organic synthesis

Tribenzylammonium tribromide supported onto magnetic nanoparticles (Br₃‐TBA‐Fe₃O₄) as a bromine source was successfully synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. The synthesized catalyst is shown to be a versatile and highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the Knoevenagel condensation and synthesis of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H )‐one and polyhydroquinoline derivatives. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of the use of a bromine source immobilized on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as a magnetically separable catalyst for these reactions. The nanosolid catalyst can be magnetically recovered and reused readily several times without significant loss in catalytic efficiency.     

Phosphomolybdic acid supported on Schiff base functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets: Preparation,characterization, and first catalytic application in the multi‐component synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthene‐11‐ones

New Schiff base (SB) functionalized graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets containing phosphomolybdic counter‐anion H₂PMo₁₂O₄₀^¯ (H₂PMo) were successfully prepared by grafting of 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) on GO nanosheets followed by condensation with benzil and finally reaction with phosphomolybdic acid (H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀, denoted as H₃PMo) and characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), particle size distribution, energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis, EDX elemental mapping, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES). The prepared new nanomaterial, denoted as GO‐SB‐H₂PMo, was shown to be an efficient heterogeneous catalyst in one‐pot, three‐component reaction of β‐naphthol, aldehydes, and dimedone, giving high yields of tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthene‐11‐ones within short reaction times. The catalyst is readily recovered by simple filtration and can be recycled and reused several times with no significant loss of catalytic activity.     

Enhanced epoxidation of soybean oil by novel Al2O3–ZrO2–TiO2 solid acid catalyst

This study aims to develop highly efficient, recyclable solid catalysts for the epoxidation of vegetable oils. An Al₂O₃–ZrO₂–TiO₂ solid acid catalyst was prepared by a co‐precipitation/impregnation method and characterised through scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared and nitrogen adsorption–desorption analyses. The solid acid catalyst with a high surface area and typical slit pore adsorption was successfully synthesised. Al₂O₃–ZrO₂–TiO₂ also exhibits high stability and improved catalytic efficiency in the epoxidation of soybean oil. An oil conversion rate of 86.6%, which is higher than that of conventional catalysts, was obtained with a catalyst loading of 0.8 wt% and was maintained at 76.6% even after recycling the catalyst three times. The performance of the solid catalyst was slightly superior to that of H₂SO₄. Therefore, this novel catalyst may potentially be applicable in catalysing soybean oil epoxidation.     

Ni@Pd core–shell nanoparticles immobilized on yolk–shell Fe3O4@polyaniline composites as a highly efficient,magnetically separable and atom‐economical catalyst for reduction of nitrobenzenes

The preparation of Ni@Pd core–shell nanoparticles immobilized on yolk–shell Fe₃O₄@polyaniline composites is reported. Fe₃O₄ nanoclusters were first synthesized through the solvothermal method and then the SiO₂ shell was coated on the Fe₃O₄ surface via a sol–gel process. To prepare Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@polyaniline composites, polyvinylpyrrolidone was first grafted on to the surface of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ composites and subsequently polymerization of aniline was carried out via an ultrasound‐assisted in situ surface polymerization method. Selective etching of the middle SiO₂ layer was then accomplished to obtain the yolk–shell Fe₃O₄@polyaniline composites. The approach uses polyaniline (PANI) conductive polymer as a template for the synthesis of Ni@Pd core–shell nanoparticles. The catalytic activity of the synthesized yolk–shell Fe₃O₄@PANI/Ni@Pd composite was investigated in the reduction of o‐nitroaniline to benzenediamine by NaBH₄, which exhibited conversion of 99% in 3 min with a very low content of the catalyst. Transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, TGA, X‐ray diffraction, UV–visible, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray energy dispersion spectroscopy and FT‐IR were employed to characterize the synthesized nanocatalyst. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mesostructure organic‐inorganic hybrid ionic liquids based on heteropoly acids: Effect of linkage on the molecular structure and catalytic activity

The new inorganic–organic hybrids based on SO₃H‐functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) and Keggin‐type heteropoly acids (H₃PW₁₂O₄₀, H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀, and H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀; HPAs) are prepared and characterized by FT‐IR, NMR, XRD, CV, SEM/EDX, ICP‐OES, BJH and UV. Different molecular structures according to the different inorganic part were also proved. Potentiometric titration showed a good relationship between catalytic activity and acidity of the catalysts. Electrochemical aspects showed electron transfer ability of the compounds. For understanding catalytic activities of the HPA‐IL hybrids in N‐formylation reaction, effect of catalyst composition, substrate, and reaction conditions were studied. The best SO₃H‐functionalized ionic liquid catalyst was readily recovered and reused for four runs. Easy preparation of the catalyst, simple and easy work‐up, mild reaction conditions, low cost, excellent yields and short reaction times are the key features of this work.     

Pd–Schiff base complex supported on Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles: A new and highly efficient reusable catalyst for C–C bond formation in water

A protocol is introduced for the preparation of a new cage‐like Pd–Schiff base organometallic complex supported on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@Schiff‐base‐Pd). The structure of the nanomagnetic catalyst was comprehensively characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray mapping, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. In the second stage, the catalytic activity of this catalyst was studied in the Suzuki and Heck cross‐coupling reactions in water as a green solvent. In this sense, simple preparation of the catalyst from commercially available materials, high catalytic activity, simple operation, short reaction times, high yields and use of green solvent are some advantages of this protocol. Finally, the nanocatalyst was easily recovered, using an external magnet, and reused several times without significant loss of its catalytic efficiency. In addition, the stability of the catalyst after recycling was confirmed using SEM, XRD and FT‐IR techniques.     

Binary α-Fe2O3–Co3O4 nanostructures for advanced oxidation process: Role of synergy for enhanced catalysis

Iron and its binary oxides are meticulously exploited for environmental remediations. However, only limited studies have been carried out on the degradation of industrial organics by advanced oxidation process. In this study, iron oxide, cobalt oxide, and iron–cobalt binary oxides were synthesized by a modified hydrothermal method as heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from wastewaters. The oxide nanostructures were characterized by different analytical techniques. Studying the effects of various parameters such as catalyst dose, MB concentration, and H₂O₂ concentration, the reaction conditions were optimized to enhance the removal of MB dye. The results revealed that α-Fe₂O₃–Co₃O₄ shows much higher activity than both Co₃O₄ and α-Fe₂O₃ for the degradation of MB at room temperature and beyond. The binary α-Fe₂O₃–Co₃O₄ shows degradation efficiency of 96.4% at 65 °C within 60 min. Furthermore, the binary α-Fe₂O₃–Co₃O₄ catalyst retains its activity for up to four successive cycles. A probable mechanism is also proposed, involving the generation of ‧OH radical as well as Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ or Co²⁺/Co³⁺ redox couple of the binary α-Fe₂O₃–Co₃O₄ catalyst.     

Preparation and characterization of palladium immobilized on silica‐coated Fe3O4 and its catalytic performance for Suzuki reaction under microwave irradiation

Supported palladium catalyst (Pd/Fe₃O₄@SiO₂) was easily prepared by supporting PdCl₂ on silica‐coated magnetic nanoparticles Fe₃O₄ in ethylene glycol. The as‐prepared sample was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS). The formation of active specie Pd(0) was confirmed by XRD and XPS, and the Pd loading for the fresh and recovered catalyst was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Pd/Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ was employed for the synthesis of biphenyl derivatives via Suzuki reaction. In terms of the yield of biphenyl, the supported catalyst displayed nearly equal catalytic performance to that of homologous PdCl₂ under microwave irradiation for 30 min but higher than that obtained by traditional heating method for 12 h. The catalytic performance of Pd/Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ for Suzuki reactions involving various aryl halides and arylboronic acids were also examined. Impressive yield of biphenyl at 68.2% was obtained even in the presence of unreactive aryl chlorides. Pd/Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ was recovered by a permanent magnet and directly reused in the next run, and no obvious deactivation was observed for up to 6 times. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cu(II) immobilized on Fe3O4–diethylenetriamine: A new magnetically recoverable catalyst for the synthesis of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones and oxidative coupling of thiols

Cu(II) immobilized on Fe₃O₄–diethylenetriamine was designed as a new, inexpensive and efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H )‐ones and the oxidative coupling of thiols. The structure of the nanomagnetic catalyst was comprehensively characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Simple preparation of the catalyst from commercially available materials, high catalytic activity, simple operation, high yields, use of green solvents, easy magnetic separation and reusability of the catalyst with unaltered activity make our protocol a green and feasible synthetic strategy.     

H3PW12O40/mpg‐C3N4 as an efficient and reusable catalyst in the alkylation of o‐xylene and styrene

A heterogeneous catalyst (HPW/mpg‐C₃N₄) for the alkylation of o‐xylene and styrene reaction was acquired by the immobilization of phosphotungstic acid (HPW) on mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (mpg‐C₃N₄) through electrostatic interaction. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) proved that HPW was successfully immobilized on the protonated mpg‐C₃N₄ by electrostatic interaction. The textural properties and morphology of HPW/mpg‐C₃N₄ were characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Among them, 40% HPW/mpg‐C₃N₄ displays the best catalytic performance in the alkylation reaction with 91.8% yield and 96.5% selectivity to 1, 2‐diphenylethylane. Moreover, protonated mpg‐C₃N₄ not only displays as a support to facilitate great dispersion of HPW but also promotes the alkylation product diffusion effectively. Besides, the HPW/mpg‐C₃N₄ catalyst could be recycled easily without significant loss of catalytic activity, which is demonstrate by the recyclability of HPW/mpg‐C₃N₄ catalyst test.     

Palladium immobilized on amidoxime‐functionalized magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles: a highly stable and efficient magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst for sonogashira coupling reaction

We describe the synthesis of a novel Fe₃O₄/amidoxime (AO)/Pd nanocatalyst by grafting of AO groups on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and subsequent deposition of Pd nanoparticles. Prior to grafting of AO, the 2‐cyanoethyl‐functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles prepared through combining 2‐cyanoethyltriethoxysilane and Fe₃O₄ were treated with hydroxylamine. The AO‐grafted Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were then used as a platform for the deposition of Pd nanoparticles. The catalyst was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, vibrating sample magnetometry, wavelength‐ and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopies and inductively coupled plasma analysis. Fe₃O₄/AO/Pd is novel phosphine‐free recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for Sonogashira reactions. Interestingly, the novel catalyst could be recovered in a facile manner from the reaction mixture by applying an external magnet device and recycled seven times without any significant loss in activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.